Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-28
HARvARD,S HARD PULL.
They Win n Close Race with Column.
bia-The Record Beaten.

The eighth annual four-mile straight-away race
between eight-oared crews, representing Harvard
and Columbia Colleges was rowed yesterday AFTER
noon on the Thames course from Gales Ferry to
winthrop Point, and proved TO be one OF the most
holly contested races ever rowed, both crews
breaking the record OF twenty minutes and thirty
one seconds made by Yale in 1884. The official
time is Harvard, 2O:20: Columbis, 20:29. About
300 college men, including the Harvard, Colum-
bia and Yale delegations, came on 10 see the
races. The local people swelled the number OF
spectators to about twelve hundred All the con-
ditions were favorable for fast time. The water
was comparatively smooth, and the tide was run
Ing out very strong, being greatly increased IN
volume by the heavy freshet occasioned by the
late rains, and fresh breeze blew directly down
crews went away on a squirt OF thirty-six
strokes per minute, Harvard catching the
v wa,er hr 18th ana ee gaining slight p al,
crews dropped their pace two strokes, and settled
down to hard work. Harvard's long. sweeping
stroke and the precision with which they swung
their bodies sent them gradually TO the front and
at the first quarter they had a lead OF a length.
The Columbias here began doing better work, and
began TO gain on the leaders inch by inch. The
excitement at this point was something trench
dous. Columbia continued TO gain and as both
shells shot by the half.mile flag they were bow
and bow. This fine exhibition Of rowing by the
Columbia boys greatly surprised the Harvard
crew, and they showed their temporary demorali-
This was Columb}a's opportunity, and She took
advantage OF it bY drawing away from Harvard
and showing about foot OF clear water between
the boats But Harvard was not to be SO easily
defeated. They quickly recovered themselves
and by their sweeping stroke OF thirty-four rap
idly ran up alongside OF the New Workers. and by
great eXertiOns sent the bow OF their boat a few
feet To the front just they passed the first mile
nag. The rowing up to this point was some
Thing phenomenal, the second half being
rowed in 2:10S and 2:11k, respectively and
both crews were fifteen seconds ahead OF the rec
ord. Harvard'S lead was only feet. and 1t was
anybodyS race. The enthusiasm here was at its
height, every Harvard and Columbia man shout
It's effect on the Columbias and they dropped their
stroke TO 33, while Harvard, still pulling 81 forged
ahead, and at y miles nearly showed clear water
Harvard kept up her steady swing, while ColuIa-
bias work was ragged, and 10 her misfortune her
coXSwa1n Swerved from the course and made a
long sweep In shore, thereby losing nearly
length. AT the 2-mile nag Harvard had increased
Harvard was three lengths ahead, swinging mer.
r1ly along with the race well in hand. At that
point the Columbus seemed to get their second
wind and put in such effective work that in that
half mile she had overcome one length OF her op-
ponentS lead. All during the third mile Harvard
took matters easily, and Columbia attempted to
close the gap, but could do nothing more than hold
her own. Entering the last half mile Columbia
made her final effort, but TO do her best she could
gain but few feet, and Immediately lost II again,
and all through the half mile Harvard easily main
tanned her lead of three lengths In spite OF Column
bias gallant effort, Harvard crossing the line a
winner by three lengths, defeating the best crew
Columbia has ever had, and breaking the record
by eleven seconds Columbia's time Is two seconds
better than the best previous record.
The following table shows the time in which
each half mile made: